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Not on display

The Immaculate Conception

Figure Group
ca. 1700 - ca. 1720 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Naples (made)
Sicily (made)

This ivory figure group carved in full relief was made in ca. 1700-20 in South Italy (Naples or Sicily). It depicts the Immaculate Conception, or Tota Pulchra, the Virgin with symbols of her purity. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.22-1926. It is a complex arrangement of miniature figures and figure groups.

Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Christianity
Religion
Reliefs
Object type
Figure group
TitleThe Immaculate Conception (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory on later scagliola base
Ivory
Scagliola
Carving
Relief
Brief description
Figure group, carved ivory, the Immaculate conception, Outh Italian (Naples or Sicily), ca. 1700-1720
Physical description
Carved ivory figure group depicting the Immaculate conception or Tota Pulchra, the Virgin with symbols of her purity. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.22-1926. It is a complex arrangement of miniature figures and figure groups. In the centre the Virgin is seen trampling on the devil. Below are Old Testament figures: Adam and Eve, Moses and other prophets. Above angels play musical instruments around God the Father.
Dimensions
  • Ivory alone height: 22.5cm
  • Width: 15.5cm
  • Whole height: 25.5cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh, FSA
Object history
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1926. Formerly in the collection of the Right Hon. the Earl of Cromer, 36 Wimpole Street, London W1. This and its companion piece (Mus. no. A.22-1926) sold as a pair by the Earl to Hildburgh for £50 in 1926. Hildburgh immediately donated them to the Museum.
Subjects depicted
Devil
Prophets
Angels
Musical Instruments
Mary (Virgin Mary)
Adam and Eve
Moses
God
Summary
This ivory figure group carved in full relief was made in ca. 1700-20 in South Italy (Naples or Sicily). It depicts the Immaculate Conception, or Tota Pulchra, the Virgin with symbols of her purity. The carving is composed of scores of minute figures in full relief, the tusk has been sawn down the middle, the other half forming A.22-1926. It is a complex arrangement of miniature figures and figure groups.
Associated object
A.22-1926 (Object)
Bibliographic references
  • Theuerkauff, C. Die Bildwerke der Skulpturengalerie Berlin. 2. Die Bildwerke in Elfenbein des 16. - 19. Jahrhunderts. Berlin, 1986, pp. 354, 360, no. 9. note. 21
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1927-1929, Part II, pp. 105-106
  • Ruiz, José Ferrándiz y. Marfiles y azabaches españoles. Barcelona [u.a.] : Ed. Labor, 1928, p. 218
  • Theuerkauff, Christian von, ed. Elfenbein: Sammlung Reiner Winkler. vol. I, 1984, p. 218, no. 139
  • Theuerkauff, Christian von, ed. Elfenbein: Sammlung Reiner Winkler. vol. II, 1994, p. 123, no. 54
  • Theuerkauff, C. Elfenbein in Klosterneuburg. 1962. nos. 20, 21, figs. 25, 27
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 302, pp. 308, 9
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.21-1926

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Record createdNovember 23, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107405/the-immaculate-conception-figure-group-unknown/
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